The criminal record certificate (certidão de antecedentes criminais) is issued by the Federal Police and by the state Civil Police forces, and you can request it yourself. Antecedentes Criminais Brasil is a private service, not a government agency: we explain the route and help when it gets complicated, with the Hague apostille, sworn translation and issuance for people living abroad.
A criminal record declaration (declaração de antecedentes criminais) can be a statement signed by the person concerned, a reference to the certificate or attestation issued by a public agency, or, in Rio de Janeiro, a specific document called the Declaration of Civil and Criminal Records (Declaração de Assentamentos Civis e Criminais). These are different documents, and acceptance depends on the requirement set by the institution asking for it.
Quick answer and summary table
| Document | Who issues or signs it | Cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Own declaration of good record | The person concerned, or an attorney-in-fact with sufficient powers | Cost not established in Law 7,115/1983 | The cited law sets no general period |
| Federal criminal record certificate | Federal Police (PF) | Free on the public portal | 90 days |
| State criminal record certificate (atestado) | The responsible state agency | Check with the agency | In Paraná, 90 days; check the state's rule |
| Rio de Janeiro Declaration of Civil and Criminal Records | The responsible agency in Rio de Janeiro, under the IIFP procedure | Check the responsible portal | The portal states 90 days or a period at the issuing agency's discretion, from release; confirm how it applies to the document requested |
The main point: a declaration you sign yourself is not automatically equivalent to a certificate issued by the Federal Police or to a state certificate. Before preparing any document, confirm exactly what was requested.
Law 7,115/1983 recognizes a declaration of good record signed by the person concerned or by a sufficient attorney-in-fact, under penalty of law. However, the legislation itself sets limits and responsibilities. A presumption of truthfulness does not mean mandatory acceptance in every procedure.
Your own declaration and Law 7,115/1983
What is a declaration made by the person concerned?
An own criminal record declaration is a document in which a person makes a statement about their criminal record and takes responsibility for the truthfulness of the information.
In this context, the expression may also appear as declaração de bons antecedentes (declaration of good record) or declaração de próprio punho (handwritten declaration). The important thing is to distinguish this personal statement from a certificate issued after a search of a public agency's records.
Law 7,115 of August 29, 1983 is the normative reference for understanding the scope of the own declaration in certain situations.
What does article 1 establish?
Article 1 of Law 7,115/1983 covers declarations intended to serve as proof of:
- Life;
- Residence;
- Poverty;
- Economic dependence;
- Homonymy;
- Good record.
The law establishes that the declaration, when signed by the person concerned or by a sufficient attorney-in-fact (procurador), under penalty of law, is presumed to be true.
Therefore, good record (bons antecedentes) is expressly among the matters mentioned by the legislation.
It does not turn the declarant into an agency responsible for issuing certificates. Nor does it make the declaration identical to a document issued by the Federal Police or by a state Civil Police.
Does an own declaration replace a certificate?
Among the official facts consulted for this guide, there is no general rule obliging all institutions to accept an own declaration in place of the criminal record certificate or attestation.
If the institution expressly asks for a declaration from the person concerned, Law 7,115/1983 provides the normative reference for understanding that document.
If the request requires a Federal Police certificate, presenting only a private declaration does not ensure that the requirement is met.
The same care applies when the document requested is an attestation issued by a state agency.
The limit of the declaration in criminal proceedings
The sole paragraph of article 1 of Law 7,115/1983 sets an express exception: the rule of presumed truthfulness does not apply for purposes of proof in criminal proceedings.
The law should not be read as authorization to replace documents or evidence required in criminal proceedings with a personal declaration of good record.
To consult the wording of the legislation, see Law 7,115/1983 on the Chamber of Deputies portal.
Liability for a false declaration
Why does the declaration have to be true?
The declaration of good record provided for in Law 7,115/1983 is signed under penalty of law. This means the person should not treat the document as a formality that can be filled in without checking that the content is true.
Article 2 provides that, when proven false, the declaration subjects the declarant to the civil, administrative and criminal sanctions provided for in the applicable legislation.
Article 3 adds another requirement: the declaration must expressly mention the declarant's responsibility.
The existence of a template available on the internet does not remove the obligation to give true information. The text must match the real situation of the person who signs it.
What does the Penal Code say?
Article 299 of the Brazilian Penal Code deals with ideological falsehood (falsidade ideológica).
The provision covers inserting a false statement in a document with the purpose of harming a right, creating an obligation or altering the truth about a legally relevant fact.
The penalties in the article differ according to the nature of the document:
| Nature of the document | Penalty under article 299 |
|---|---|
| Public document | Imprisonment (reclusão) of one to five years and a fine |
| Private document | Imprisonment (reclusão) of one to three years and a fine |
These are the penalties indicated by the legal provision. Applying the article to a specific situation depends on the elements set out in the legislation and the circumstances involved.
How should you deal with information that cannot be stated?
If you cannot confirm that a certain statement corresponds to reality, do not sign a declaration containing that information as if it were true.
When there is doubt about the content required, the safest route is to ask the receiving institution for clarification before signing.
The template presented in this guide is only illustrative. It does not verify the situation of whoever uses it and does not represent proof issued by a public agency.
When the institution asks for a certificate
Is the institution obliged to accept an own declaration?
No general rule was found, in the official sources considered in this guide, obliging every institution to accept a private declaration in place of a certificate or attestation.
So the existence of Law 7,115/1983 does not allow us to conclude that any recipient must dispense with the public document requested.
If the request specifically mentions the Federal Police, it will be important to check the corresponding service. If it mentions a state agency, you should identify that state's procedure.
When the wording uses only the word declaration, without explaining its origin, it is worth asking whether the institution intends to receive a document signed by the person concerned or a document issued by a public agency.
Is it mandatory to present criminal records for every job?
No general rule was found making the presentation of criminal records mandatory for every job.
If an institution requests the document, check which type it requires, instead of assuming a federal certificate will always be needed.
How do you know exactly which document to present?
Start by identifying the name used in the requirement.
A request for a declaration of good record raises the possibility of a document signed by the person concerned. However, the term alone does not confirm acceptance.
A requirement for a federal criminal record certificate points to the Federal Police service.
A state criminal record certificate should be tied to the state agency responsible for the document.
In Rio de Janeiro, there is also the specific name Declaration of Civil and Criminal Records (Declaração de Assentamentos Civis e Criminais), intended for the groups indicated on the state portal.
If in doubt, ask the institution direct questions:
- Must the document be signed by the person concerned or issued by a public agency?
- If it is a certificate, which agency must issue it?
- Is there a specific form?
- Is there a specific requirement on the document's validity?
- Is a private declaration accepted for the stated purpose?
These questions do not replace the institution's answer, but they help identify what information is missing before starting the request.
Do you need to present a certificate abroad, or did you run into difficulties requesting it? Antecedentes Criminais Brasil can review your situation and tell you the service conditions. Leave your contact to receive guidance on the private service, with no commitment to pay in advance.
Declaration, certificate and attestation: differences
Declaration of good record
The own declaration is signed by the person concerned or by an attorney-in-fact with sufficient powers, under the conditions provided by Law 7,115/1983.
There is also no basis, in the sources used, to set a general validity period that applies to every own declaration of good record.
To go deeper into the meaning of the term, see the guide on what antecedentes criminais means.
Federal Police criminal record certificate
The federal certificate is issued by the Federal Police.
According to the official information, online issuance is free and service is immediate. The document is valid for 90 days.
The Antecedentes Criminais Brasil service is independent of the issuing agency. Any private charge refers to the service hired, not to a Federal Police charge for the certificate made available on its portal.
Anyone who wants to request the document can open the public service for issuing the criminal record certificate.
For additional information on this document, see the page on the Brazilian federal police certificate.
State criminal record certificate (atestado)
In Rio de Janeiro, the responsible portal states that the certificate is meant to show the absence of criminal records against the applicant up to the date of issuance.
The portal also provides that the certificate will not be supplied when there is a criminal conviction that became final (sentença penal condenatória transitada em julgado) against the applicant.
In Paraná, the official information consulted sets a validity of 90 days for the state certificate.
To better understand this category of document, read the page on the atestado de antecedentes criminais (police clearance).
Rio de Janeiro: Declaration of Civil and Criminal Records
What is this declaration in Rio de Janeiro?
In Rio de Janeiro, the expression Declaração de Assentamentos Civis e Criminais names a document mentioned by the state service responsible for criminal records.
It should not be confused with the private declaration of good record provided for in Law 7,115/1983.
Who must request the Declaration of Civil and Criminal Records?
According to the state portal, the following must request the Declaration of Civil and Criminal Records:
- Foreigners;
- Holders of an RG (state identity card) issued by other states;
- Holders of a National Identity Card (Carteira de Identidade Nacional, CIN) or documents from other agencies who do not hold an identity card issued in the state of Rio de Janeiro, as the service guides.
Service for foreigners at the IIFP
For foreigners, the official guidance consulted states the need to appear in person at the Félix Pacheco Identification Institute (Instituto de Identificação Félix Pacheco, IIFP).
The address given is:
Instituto de Identificação Félix Pacheco (IIFP) Rua Frei Caneca, nº 505 Estácio, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
The information was not found in the official content consulted; confirm directly on the website of the responsible agency.
What validity is stated in Rio de Janeiro?
The service portal states a validity of 90 days, or a period at the issuing agency's discretion, counted from release by the IIFP.
For guidance on the state procedure, see the page on the Rio de Janeiro criminal record certificate.
Illustrative template of a declaration
Template of an own declaration of good record
The example below presents a simple wording with the declarant's identification, a statement about criminal record, an express mention of responsibility, place, date and signature.
Illustrative template, check the requesting authority's requirements. This is not an official form. The agency or institution that receives it may require its own form or a certificate issued by a public agency.
English translation, for reference only:
```text DECLARATION OF GOOD RECORD
I, [full name], CPF (taxpayer number) [CPF], declare, under penalty of law, that I have no criminal record. I expressly declare my responsibility for the truthfulness of the information given here. [Place], [date]. [Declarant's signature] ```
Original wording in Portuguese (the language in which a Brazilian authority would expect the text):
```text DECLARAÇÃO DE BONS ANTECEDENTES
Eu, [nome completo], CPF [CPF], declaro, sob as penas da lei, que não possuo antecedentes criminais. Declaro expressamente minha responsabilidade pela veracidade das informações aqui prestadas. [Local], [data]. [Assinatura do declarante] ```
This template takes into account the reference to good record in article 1 and the obligation to mention the declarant's responsibility in article 3 of Law 7,115/1983.
Use the statement only if it matches reality. Do not declare that you have no record when you cannot do so truthfully.
Do you have to use exactly this text?
It is not possible to say that every institution will accept this wording.
Before filling it in, check whether the institution provides its own form.
Does a handwritten declaration mean a certificate?
No.
A reference to a handwritten declaration (declaração de próprio punho) points to a statement by the person concerned, while the certificate is issued by the responsible agency.
In the legal passage used in this guide, Law 7,115/1983 deals with a declaration signed by the person concerned or by a sufficient attorney-in-fact, under penalty of law.
If the recipient expressly uses the expression handwritten, confirm the required format before delivery.
Sources
- Chamber of Deputies, Law 7,115/1983. Articles 1, 2 and 3: declaration of good record, presumption of truthfulness, limit relating to criminal proceedings and the declarant's responsibility.
https://www2.camara.leg.br/legin/fed/lei/1980-1987/lei-7115-29-agosto-1983-356585-publicacaooriginal-1-pl.html
- Chamber of Deputies, Penal Code, Decree-Law 2,848/1940. Article 299: ideological falsehood and the penalties for public and private documents.
https://www2.camara.leg.br/legin/fed/declei/1940-1949/decreto-lei-2848-7-dezembro-1940-412868-normaatualizada-pe.html
- Detran-RJ / Félix Pacheco Identification Institute. Information on the criminal record certificate, the Declaration of Civil and Criminal Records and the validity stated in the service.
https://atestadodic.detran.rj.gov.br/Apresentacao.aspx
- Federal Government, Emitir Certidão de Antecedentes Criminais. Public service for requesting the federal certificate.
https://www.gov.br/pt-br/servicos/emitir-certidao-de-antecedentes-criminais
Will you use the certificate abroad, or did your request get stuck?
Antecedentes Criminais Brasil is a private service, independent of the issuing agencies. We help you understand the procedure and offer assistance for assisted issuance, Hague apostille and sworn translation.
Leave your contact and we will review your case and tell you the time and price before any payment. Issuance of public documents and acceptance by the receiving institution depend on the respective agencies and procedures.